Encore

Can’t answer your question but I would strongly suggest you getting a Breville bambino and something like a Baratza encore ESP for the grinder. All in one machines , and especially Ninja ones, are not the best (Ninjas known to fail quite a lot). Bambino $299 and Baratza $199. If you get an all in on

Bambino + baratza encore ESP is better for sure

That's absolutely not true, you can get a used baratza encore esp for like 100. Even the regular encore can grind fine enough for espresso, the increments are just too big. I had the same machine as OP, i just pulled the plastic insert out of the stock portafilter and put a non pressurised basket in

I use a Baratza Encore. Nothing wrong with that. It grinds enough to make a good shot. What more do you need?

You can run it with pre ground coffee using a pressurised basket but it kind of defeats the point of having a manual espresso machine. I'd put your budget into a decent grinder capable of espresso (e.g. Baratza Encore Esp) and slowly upgrade elsewhere. A self levelling tamper is very helpful and als

Check out the Baratza Encore ESP Pro - under $300. Good grinder. Don't just buy any cheap grinder. Buy a grinder that has fine grind settings for espresso.

As others have said no need for a bottomless portafilter. Just buy a unpressurised basket to put in your portafilter that came with the machine You can even use the pressurised (one hole at bottom) basket with a coarse grind but better to use unpressurised (lots of holes bottom), and an espresso cap

I have a baratza encore esp with my new e24 and I’m loving it, it was 200$. Works great so far, we’ll see if it holds up in the long term!

I disagree completely, for 100$ get yourself a used Baratza encore off eBay and a hario dripper. Extra points if you can do an ESP, that way you can invest In an espresso machine when your ready.

I don't know the Opus, but the Baratza Encore ESP has been a widely respected unit in the price class for years and is definitely a safe purchase. Even though they were bought by Breville the word is that they'll maintain their own CS department - which has a great rep. Fellow generally has a good r